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It was not the teams the Barneveld girls basketball team faced this season that presented the biggest challenge.
Not the Monticello Ponies, North Linn (Iowa), Oregon, Madison Edgewood, Bangor, Fall Creek or even the Assumption Royals who handed them their lone loss of their 27-1 season.
It wasn't the flu bug, colds, ankle sprains, concussions or any other health related set-back.
It wasn't long bus trips, late night study sessions after an away game or anything else that bothers teen-age girls.
It was the P word....as in pressure.
Some of it the girls put on themselves. They walked out of the Resch Center after winning the Division 5 state title last year with a thrilling 38-34 win over Wisconsin Rapids Assumption and made a decision. They were going to do everything in their power to return and take another shot at the 2015 crown.
Some of it--no doubt the biggest share of it--came from the expecations of those who love Barneveld Girls Basketball and felt with what they had coming back, a return trip should be a lock.
But that is not always how things work out.
"It is hard enough to get there in the first place," coach Jim Myers said. "To return a second time is even harder."
But getting to the state tournament has not been a problem for the Eagles. They have made 10 appearances, winning six titles and going the last three years in a row. They successfully defended the crown they won in 2014.
Myers feels that, in itself, is an incredible feat. There are very few teams that have done what the Eagles have accomplished and few that ever will.
What makes it so that blood pumps through the veins of the Eagle girls except for gametime when the blood turns to ice water? It is almost as if a switch is flipped and every girl on the team has one.
That is what makes it so special and gives the Eagles the ability to do what they do best year after year and that is reload.
Myers points to the seniors as providing the leadership to help make it happen. Each of the three who will graduate bring something special to the table.
Rachel Slaney has been a starter since her freshman year and is the top scorer in Barneveld Girls Basketball history with 1664 points. She is also second in career rebounds with 858.
"Rachel has done everything we have ever asked," said Myers.
That includes taking on girls up to four or five inches taller than her 5'10" height. She is a threat in the lane and under the basket.
"She is not the biggest player but she might have the biggest heart," Myers said. "And, she never wants to lose."
"She can be spectacular," Myers continued. "If she ever makes a mistake she more than makes up for it. She will be missed. She has been a huge part of our line-up and the conference coaches will be glad she is gone."
Maggie Oimoen has been a work in progress for four years. She is a big presence at 6'2" and this season she finally figured out how to self motivate.
"Maggie is like a box of chocolates," Myers said. "You never know what you are going to get."
"And," he said, "we got a big piece in the championship game."
That was when she put up 17 points, the most in one game of her career, and neutralized the two 6'2" girls the Royals had on the floor.
"She had to endure a long process and finally got it all figured out," Myers said.
Oimoen was happy with how her high school career ended on such a good note.
"This is a good way to go out," she said.
Amanda Roberts has a different story to tell about her high school career. She has one start in her career and that was senior night.
But, Amanda Roberts has been the consummate teammate and what she accomplished this season is the type of thing that can bring a tear to the eye and warm the heart.
Not the tallest, the fastest or the strongest player on the bench, Roberts has made up for it with hustle and being smart. She has the ability to come into a game and get into the flow right away. She anticipates well and always knows what she needs to do to help her team.
"When the year started she was one of those players who would get some minutes when we put some space between us and who we were playing," Myers said. "But she worked harder and harder and never complained about playing time or anything. She worked hard every day and when she got into the game she did the little things right. She earned more time on the floor and ended up to be the first or the second girl off the bench."
"She had a tough role to play earlier in the year being a senior but she kept at it and it paid off. She will be missed."
Roberts was one of the first girls into the title game, following Oimoen, and gave the Eagles eight great, hard minutes.
When the Eagles prevailed 59-43 over the Royals, the biggest margin in the past four years that separated the two teams, the pressure to repeat was off.
"It was nice for the seniors to go out that way," Myers said.
The seniors would no doubt agree. After all, it is the Eagles way.